A MAJOR exhibition will bring a host of Blackburn businesses together under one roof next week.

'Blackburn Means Business' has been organised by Blackburn Business Club, in association with Blackburn and District Enterprise Trust.

Supported by Blackburn Regeneration Partnership, it will be held at the International Suite at Ewood Park, on February 27.

The exhibition will provide a showcase for local companies to display their products and services and an opportunity to meet new and existing customers.

A central theme is the use of telematics, the joint technology of computers and communications and new technology on show will bring visitors up to date on the latest techniques to help their business.

Specialist local companies, including an Internet access provider, will be on hand to provide information on the Internet, computer sales, web page design and distance learning with computers.

training 2000 will also be setting up a video conferencing link with its LearnLink training partners in Essen, Germany.

LearnLink is funded by the European Social Fund and the Blackburn Single Regeneration Budget and aims to help those businesses vulnerable to unemployment improve the skills and qualifications of the workforce. A programme of demonstrations and seminars has been arranged throughout the afternoon, covering Internet access, computer-aided design and electronic data interchange.

Advice on the financial assistance available for new technology and how it can be used for commercial advantage will also be available.

Five thousand invitations have been sent out to local business and commerce and exhibition organiser John Ball, who is a senior business counsellor with Blackburn and District Enterprise Trust, is expecting a flood of visitors, who want to see how communications can improve their business.

There's also the chance to win a free holiday, donated by specialist holiday firm Enjoy Ireland of Blackburn, run by Gerry Flynn, a former client of the Enterprise Trust.

All visitors will be entered in a free draw, with a self catering holiday in Ireland for five people and free car ferry travel, the main prize.

The exhibition, which follows on from a similar successful event in 1995, will run from noon until 7pm.

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